Explore Tokyo's bright lights and secret corners with a private guide.

Welcome to Japan! You'll take a shared shuttle bus from the airport straight to your hotel in Asakusa, the most traditional district of Tokyo. You'll have Senso-ji Temple and the Kaminarimon gate on your doorstep, making it a great place to explore on your first afternoon.

For your first full day in Japan, we'll arrange for you to have the services of a knowledgeable professional guide who can introduce you to the very best the capital has to offer. Today's sightseeing itinerary is fully flexible so you might like to visit classic spots such as Hamarikyu Garden or Meiji Shrine, or instead you could venture into quieter gardens and parks which are full of autumn colour at this time of year.

Tokyo is a city that never sleeps so you'll be spoiled for choice with endless restaurants, pubs and bars to enjoy until the small hours.

Overnight: Gracery Asakusa Hotel

Visit an original samurai castle in the small mountain city of Matsumoto.

Your next stop is the castle town of Matsumoto, the gateway to the Alps. The "black crow" castle is one of the best-preserved original samurai castles in Japan. Built between 1592 and 1614, the castle is unusual for its black cladding and secondary turrets adjacent to the main keep.

After visiting the castle, Matsumoto's museum of woodblock prints is well worth a look. And you must try soba noodles here, one of two local specialties - the other is raw horse meat!

Overnight: Richmond Matsumoto

Enjoy spectacular autumn colours in the high mountain plateau of Kamikochi - the highlight of any fall trip.

Kamikochi is quite simply stunning. The cool and crisp Azusa river meanders its way through the valley with some of Japan's highest peaks rising on up on either side. There is an amazing variety of flora and bird life here as well as wild monkeys. Kamikochi offers numerous walks which range from easy rambles along the valley as well as some more serious hikes to the tops of the nearest peaks.

Part of the Chubu Sangaku National Park, Kamikochi has only been moderately developed with half a dozen hotels, a few souvenir shops, mountain huts and hiking trails. Private cars are banned from Kamikochi in order to preserve the unspoiled environment here. Your journey from Takayama will be by highway bus - the tickets and times will be included in your Info-Pack. Your accommodation here is another traditional Japanese inn and dinner is included on both nights.

Kamikochi is only accessible from mid-April to mid-November. In winter heavy snowfall closes the national park completely! Due to it's high elevation, the autumn leaves are at their best in October. Whatever time of year you visit, please bear in mind that Kamikochi is much colder than Tokyo and Kyoto so do bring appropriate clothing.

If you fancy doing some more intrepid high-altitude hikes with stays in mountain lodges, let us know and we can adapt your trip accordingly. Karasawa Cirque, a 5-hour one-way hike from central Kamikochi, is spectacular during early October.

Overnight: Nishiitoya Sanso

Wander untouched streets of traditional wooden houses and cycle past rice paddies.

Next you'll hop on a bus to head on to Takayama. This journey is particularly scenic as you pass rivers, forests and rice paddies carved into the mountain side.

Takayama was established in the 16th century as the castle town of the Kanamori family. Today Takayama is famous throughout Japan for its old town area of narrow streets containing many well-preserved inns, tea houses, shops and merchant houses with latticed windows and overhanging roofs characteristic of the Edo period.

On the outskirts of the town is the fascinating Hida folk village where old farm houses from across the Hida region have been brought together and rebuilt (beam by beam) on a hillside overlooking the town. Takayama's morning market on the bank of the Miyagawa River is famous and well worth a visit to see the stands selling local farm produce, flowers and crafts. There are also some great micro sake breweries affording the chance to sample the wares of Takayama's most famous product!

On your second day in Takayama we have included a half day guided cycling tour in and around the rural farmland of nearby Hida Furukawa, a great chance to get into the Japanese countryside.

During your two nights in Takayama you will stay at an authentic family-run inn, sleeping Japanese-style on thick futon mattresses placed directly on the tatami mat flooring. Dinner is included on your first night and will include local produce showcasing the best flavours of the autumn season.

Overnight: Yamakyu

Stroll through the striking colours of Kanazawa's Kenrokuen garden.

Your final journey through the Alps will include a stop-off in Shirakawago, one of the most idyllic villages in Japan. The steep-rooved gassho-zukuri thatched farmhouses are postcard-perfect against the backdrop of the mountains. If you're feeling extra adventurous and want to get the full traditional experience, why not spend a night in one of the farmhouses where home-cooked seasonal food and warm hospitality await.

On the other side of the Alps after another scenic bus journey you'll find yourself in Kanazawa, home to one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan: Kenrokuen. After enjoying the autumnal colours of the landscape garden, you'll have a full day to explore. The traditional Higashi-Chaya district is full of little shops selling the local crafts for which Kanazawa is famous – lacquerware, gold leaf, and gorgeous silk textiles – and the 21st Century Museum of Modern Art is a well worth a stop for art lovers.

Foodies are bound to love a visit to Omicho Market, where you can treat yourself to a fresh seafood bowl as a mid-morning snack; if you're doing a late autumn trip at the tail-end of November, you might be in time for the first snow crabs of the season.

Overnight: Hotel Intergate Kanazawa

Delve into Japanese culture in Kyoto where you can try on a kimono and take part in a tea ceremony.

Your penultimate destination is Kyoto, the heart of Japanese culture. This afternoon you'll take part in one of the most famous cultural traditions: the tea ceremony. Set in the beautiful grounds of an elegant tea house, complete with small garden, you'll learn about the history before enjoying a cup of green tea and a seasonal wagashi sweet, while enjoying the tranquility of the setting.

Kyoto has more temples and shrines than you can shake a stick at, so it's difficult to know where to begin! Fortunately, you'll meet another private guide today who can show you the cream of the crop - both the famous sights and some of the lesser-known gems. Certain Kyoto temples are particularly beautiful in autumn, where vermillion leaves are cleverly framed by gates and doorways; a photographer's dream. There are even some hidden temples that only the locals know, so you can avoid the crowds.

On your second full day in Kyoto you could make a day trip to the suburb of Arashiyama, home of the famous bamboo groves. Literally 'storm mountain' Arashiyama sits at the bottom of a dramatic gorge. Take a sightseeing steam train north through the gorge and then travel back by traditional boat to best enjoy the reds, golds and oranges of this gorgeous neighbourhood.

Alternatively you might like to leave the city to visit Uji to the south, renowned for its green tea and Byodoin's ‘Phoenix Hall' which graces the 10 yen coin; or journey further afield to Nara, to explore the extensive ancient temples where deer roam free.

Overnight: Agora Kyoto Karasuma

Return to Tokyo for a final night in the exciting metropolis.

A final journey on the Shinkansen bullet train will take you to Tokyo, where you'll spend your final night among the bright lights of Shinjuku. This gives you a handy opportunity to visit any sights you might have missed in the capital at the start of your trip, do some last minute shopping or enjoy a fantastic meal out.

At the end of your trip you will retrace your steps to the airport by shared shuttle bus transfer. We wish you a pleasant journey home.

Overnight: JR Kyushu Blossom Shinjuku